Screw-threading and beading machine.



No. 7|,|2.y Patented ne. la, |902.

A. P. woLFE. SCREW THBEADING AND BADING MACHINE.

\ `(Application led Apr. 14, 1902.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

@MQ/M llNrrs Fries.

ARTHUR P. WOLFE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO NIAGARA MACHINE AND TOOL VORKS, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

SGREW-THREADING AND BEADING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,162, dated December 16, 1902- Application fled April 14, 1902. Serial No. 102.856. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it muy concern.: Be it known that I, ARTHUR P. WOLFE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Screw-Threading and Beading Machines, of which' the following isa specification. 1

This invention relates to amachine `for ro screw-threading orbeading sheet-metal jar or bottle caps and similar articles.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine of large capacity which is simple in constructionA and which is readily adapted for i 5 forming screw-threads or beads on sheet-metal caps or the like of dierent sizes and forms.

The machinehereinafter described,:and,

shown inthe drawings asV an embodiment of `the invention, briefly stated, is organized and 2o operates as followsz'The blank caps are received from a feed-chute and carried by a reciprocating feed deviceto and placed on the rotary forming-chuck. Before the feed device is retracted a rotary die-roll is advanced toward the chuck, and a iiange on the die-roll engages between the cap and the feed device and holds the blank on the chuck when the feed device returns. The chuck and die-roll are provided, respectively, with a projecting 3o thread and a peripheralY coperating groove which as the cap; is rolledbetween the oppositely-rotating chuck and die-roll `form the screw-thread.` After the thread isformed the die-roll is moved away from the chuck, and a knock-out rod, which is arranged axially in the hollow chuck-spindle, is projected to engage the cap and push the same off of the chuck.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting 4o of two sheets, Figure l is a plan view of a machine embodying the invention, the feedchute being removed. is a perspective of the machine, looking from the left in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is atransverse vertical section on the line `3, Fig. l, through the carriage for the die-roll. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4 4, Fig. l, through the die-roll carriage. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the feed-chute. Fig. 6 is a broken elevation larged scale. Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the feed-chute and feed device on the line '7 7 Fig. 6. l Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View through the feed-chute and feed device, showing the latter in position to receive a blank from the hopper. Fig. 9 is a section through the feed device on the line 9 9, Fig. 6, and showing the die-roll in position to remove the blank from the feed device. Fig. l0 is a fragmentary elevation, on an enlarged scale, of theforming-chnck, showing another form of knock-out rod. Fig. 1l is a vertical section through the parts shown in Fig. 10.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts A in the several figures.

A represents a base or bed plate of any desired form which supports the several operating parts of the machine. tion shown in the drawings the base-plate is provided intermediate of its ends at the front side or portion with an opening c., through which the threaded caps can fall when removed froln the chuck.

B represents the rotary forming chuck or mandrel, which is arranged over the opening a, and is carried by the end of..a hollow spindle O, which is journaled in suitable bearings c on the head-stock c', which is adjustable toward and from the opening din a way o2 in the base-plate. The head-stock is adjusted by means of a handwheel or the like c3.

c4 represents clamping-bolts for holding the head-stock in adj usted position at one side of the opening a. The chuck shownin the drawings is intended for forming screw-threads on sheet-metal jar and bottle caps or the like and for this purpose is provided with a helical raised thread or bead. The chuck is detachably secured to the spindle in any suitable manner. It is shown as being provided with an internal screw thread which is screwed onto a reduced screw-threaded portion of the spindle. Y

D represents a cone-pulley or the like secured to the chuck-spindle between the bearings c for driving the spindle. E represents the threadingdie-roll, which is provided with a helical groove and is so ar- In the construcl 5o of the feed-chute and feed device, on an enranged and proportioned relative to the chuck I co d' the mandrel and die-roll in a well-known' manner. The die-roll is provided at its end opposite the end of the chuck with an annular beveled iiange e, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. The die-roll is secured to a shaft F, journaledin suitable bearings carried by a carriage G, which is mounted to reciprocate back and forth on the baseplate. The carriage and guides therefor may be of any suitable construction. In the construction shown in the drawings the carriage (see Fig. 4) is provided with side iianges g, which slide in grooves formed in raised portions g of the base-plate. The carriage is held in its grooves by strips or bars g2, which are secured to the base and overhang the iianges of the carriage. The bearings 7i for the die-roll shaft F are formed on a block H, which is adjustably mounted on the reciprocating carriage, so that the die-roll can be properly adjusted relative to the chuck. The reciprocating carriage Gr is provided in its upper face with a groove or channel in which engages a longitudinal tongue h' on the under side of the bearing-block H.

h2 represents an adjusting screw which passes through a screw-threaded openingin a lug on the reciprocating carriage and abuts against the rear end of the bearing-block. The block is iixed in adj usted positions by a clamp-bolt h3 .on the carriage and which passes through an elongated slot h4 in the bearing-block.

The die-roll is driven from the chuck-spin'- dle by suitable gearing, which may be of any preferred construction or arrangement. In the drawings a jointed or flexible shaft I is shown which is arranged in rear of the chuckspindle and is journaled at its outer end in a bearing 2' on the head-stock and at its inner or opposite end in a bearing z", formed on the bearing-block forthe die-roll. The outer end of ythe'chuck-spindle is provided with a gearwheel t2, geared to a gear-wheel 713 on the outer end of the jointed shaft I by a change-v gear wheel 4, whereby the jointed shaft can be driven at different speeds from the chuckspindle. The inner end of the jointed shaft is provided withagear-pinionj, which meshes with and drives a gear-pinion'j', fixed to the adjacent end of the die-roll shaft. As the carriage for the die-roll is reciprocated back and forth a loose connection of the jointed shaft I in one of its bearings is necessary, and for this purpose the inner end of the jointed shaft is shown as slidably engaging in its bearing and is provided with a key-groovej2, in which slides a key cn the gear-pinion j, which is confined in a groove or pocket in the bearing for the flexible shaft, so as to be held from longitudinal movement.

The mechanism shown for reciprocating the i j die-roll carriage is constructed as follows: K represents a cam-shaft whichis journaled in suitable bearings 7s on the rear portion of the base-plate. This shaft is preferably driven by means of a belt-pulley la, which is secured to the shaft between its bearings. The reciprocating carriage is provided with a rearwardly-extending arm k2,the rear end of which is bifurcated and straddles the shaft K, adjacent to the drive-pulley 7c. The arm k2 is provided with a stud which extends from the same into acam-groove 7c3, formed in the adjacent face of the drive-pulley, and is preferably provided with an antifriction roller. The cam-groove is provided with a concentric portion of smallv radius extending substantially throughout half a circle and with a concentric portion of' greater radius extending through somewhat less than half a circle'and which joins the other concentric portion by means of inclined or cam portions. The shape of the cam-groove is such as to advance the carriage and hold the same, with the die-roll, in operative engagement with the cap on the chuck until the thread is formed and then retract the carriage and retain the same in the retracted position for a period of time sufficient to permit the finished cap to be removed from the chuck and a blank cap placed thereon.

The mechanism shown in the drawings for feeding the blank caps to the chuck is constructed as follows: L, Figs. 2, 6,'7, and 9, represents a feed chute or box which is supported in an inclined position over the opening a in the front of the base-plate, with its lower open end somewhat above the plane of the forming-chuck. The feed-chute is preferably provided with adjustable guide-plates l, which extend longitudinally through the chute and are adapted, by adjusting the same toward orfrom each other, to regulate the size of the chute to suit different-sized caps. The guide-plates are carried at the inner ends of adjusting screws Z', which are screwed and are provided with jam-nuts or the like Z2 for holding them in adjusted position. M represents a feed bar or rod which is arranged substantially in line with the chuck-spindle and slidably mounted in bearingsm on the base plate, so as to move toward and from the chuck. The feed-bar is provided at its inner end or end adjacent to the chuck with a head m', which is preferably detachably secured thereto in any preferred manner-for instance, by'screws m2, Fig. 7. The head is provided at its forward end with a iiange m3, the lower part of which is curved and forms a` support for the blank cap and which in the retracted or outer position of the feed-bar stands beneath the lower end of the feed-chute, so that a cap-blank can fall from the chute onto the flange m3, as shown in Fig. 8. The head is provided at the rear upper side opposite the flange m3 with a projecting iinthrough openings in the sides of the chute ICO IIO

IZO

` ger or portion m4, which prevents the escape cured at its outer end to the feed-bar and at its inner end is deflected downwardly and rests upon the head on the feed-bar. In the reciprocation of the feed-bar this retainingstrip passes beneath the open end of the chute and supports the caps, as shown in Fig. 7. The strip is preferably adjustably secured to the feed-bar by means of a bolt n', which passes through an elongated slot in the retaining strip and is provided with clamping-nuts Non opposite sides` of the retainingstrip- The blank caps are supplied to the feed-chute so that they will drop on the feed-head with theiropen ends toward the chuck.

`To prevent the blank caps from jumping or bouncing out of the feed-head when they drop into the same from the feed-chute, a swinging gate S is provided. As shown, this gate is hinged to the lower end of one of the guide-plates Z in the chute and is adapted to hang down vertically and rest against the end of the feed-head. The weight of the swinging gate is sufficient to prevent the caps from forcing the same upwardly and esl caping from the head. When the head is moved toward the chuck, it engages the gate and swings it upinto the position shown in Fig. 7, in which position the gate is supported by-portionss at the sides of its lower end which rest on the upper faces of the flange` 'm3 and finger m4 of the feedhead. When the head is returned, the swinging gate falls again into `the position shown inFig. 8

. before a blank cap passesv into the head.

in the feed-bar M.

When the feed-bar is'moved toward the ohuck,the cap,which is larger than the chuck, is engaged over the latter. Before the feedrodis returned the die-roll is advanced and the iiange e thereof engages between the head of the `cap and the `back of the'feedhead, as shown in Fig. 9, and holds the cap on the chuck untilthe thread is formed.

O represents an operating-lever for the feedbar. The lever is fulcrumed on a vertical pin p, rising from the base-plate, and at its rear end is provided with a stud p', which engages in a peripheral groove in a cam P, secured to the cam-shaft K. l The stud may be provided with an `antifriction-roller,` if desired. l The forward arm of the lever 0 is provided with a yielding extension O', the forward end of which engages loosely in a slot The lever extension is preferably pivoted in a bifurcation at the forward end of the lever O` and is provided with an oifset rear` end which extends up beside the forward arm -of the lever` and is provided with a shoulder q, adapted to strike against the lever, whereby the extension is caused to move with the lever when the latter is moved in one direction. The rear end ot' the extension is connected to one end of a spiral spring q', the other end of which is connected to the lever. The spring is preferably connected to the lever by an adj usting-bolt q2, which is screwed into a lug on the lever O and is provided with a holding jam-nut Q3. By adjusting this connection the tension of the spring can be regulated. When the lever is rocked by its cam to move the feed-bar toward the chuck, the spring connecting the lever and lever extension causes the latter to move with the cam-lever and move the feed-bar. When the lever is rocked in the opposite direction, the engagement of the lever with the shoulder on the lever extension will cause the latter to move with the lever and retract the feed-bar. l If a blank cap is improperly placed in the feed-chute with its head toward the chuck, when the feed-bar is advanced the head of the cap will strike the chuck and prevent further movement of the feed-bar. The yielding connection between the lever audits extension permits the feed-bar to be arrested without crushing the cap or injuring the machine. The die-roll is advanced while the cap is still held between the chuck and feed-head, so that its flange c will extend through the opening between the lower end of the iiange m3 and the portion m4 on the feed-head and strike the cap, forcing it out of the head, so that the latter will properly feed the neXt cap.

R represents a knock-out rod for moving the IOO threaded caps from the chuck. j This rod eX- tends axially through the hollow chuck-spindle and is operated by the following means: fr representsa lever which is pivoted intermediate of its ends on a pin rising from the forward portion of the head-stock with its outer end engaging loosely in a slot in the outerend of the knock-ont rod. The opposite arm of the lever is connected by a link r' to one arm of a tappetdever r2, which is fulcrumed on the base-plate adjacent to the drive-pulley k on the cam-shaft. The other arm of the lever r2 extends toward said pulley in the path of a tappet lug or projection r3 on the pulley. Vhenthe projection strikes the tappet-lever r2, the latter is moved to push on the connecting-link.r and swing the lever` r, so as to move the knock-out rod inwardlyand push the cap off of the chuck. The knock-out rod is returned to its normal position by a spring r4, which is shown as connected at one end to the tappet-lever r2 and at its other end to a suitable xed part, such as a pin r5, on the adjacent bearing 7c of the cam-shaft K.

In Figs. lO and ll is shown a slightly-differentconstruction of knock-ont rod, which is adapted for removing annular screw-rings or the like from the chuck. A screw ring orcap having a central opening cannot be removed IIO same would pass through the opening in the head of the cap or ring. In the construction shown in Figs. 10 and 1l the inner end of the knock-out rod T is provided with radial arms or pins t, which extend through elongated slots i in the chuck-spindle and connect the knock-out rod with aring f2, surrounding the chuck-spindle. When the knock-out rod is moved inwardly, the ring is carried with it and slides over the chuck, pushing the ring or cap from thelatter.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The blank caps are supplied to the feed-chute L with their open ends toward the chuck B by the cap-forming machine or in any suitable manner and are placed successively on the chuck by the reciprocating feed device M, as before explained. After a cap has been placed on the chuck the die-roll E is advanced by the operating-cam k3, as above described, until the die-roll engages the cap on the chuck, and the feed device M is returned to its normal position to receive another cap. The annular ange e on the die-rollenters between the head of the cap and the back of the feedhead and prevents the head from carrying the cap with it when it returns or moves away `from the chuck; The die-roll and chuck rotating in the opposite direction roll the cap on the chuck and form the thread. When the thread is completed, the die-roll is retracted by its cam, and while retracted the tappet lug or projection r3 on the drive-pulley 7c engages the tappet-lever ri and through the connections above described moves the knock-out rod R inwardly, so as to strike the cap and shove the same from the chuck.

In certain classes of work it is desirable to rotate the forming-chuck and die-roll slower than in other classes of work. With the separate drives for the chuck-shaft and the camshaft for operating the feed and knock-out devices it is possible to retard the speed of the chuck and die-roll without retarding the speed of the feeding mechanism, and thus reducing the output of the machine. The sliding carriage for the die-roll provides a simple and strong construction in which the necessary pressure for forming the thread or bead is obtained. To operate upon blanks of different size, it is only necessary to detach the feed-head and replace the same by one of suitable size, place a chuck and die-roll of proper size on the spindle and die-roll shaft, and put in the proper change-gear between the chuckshaft and the jointed drive-shaft for the dieroll.

While a machine for forming screw-threads on caps and the like has been particularly described, the machine is equally adapted for producing annular beads or other classes of Work by simply su instituting properly-formed chucks and dies for the threading chuck and die.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination of a rotary chuck, a rotary die, means for moving said die toward and from said chuck, a flexible rotary shaft geared to said die to rotate the latter, a feed device which receives the caps, and means for moving said feed device toward and from said chuck, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a chuck, a rotary spindle carrying said chuck, a rotary die, means for moving said die toward and from said chuck, a flexible shaft geared to said chuck-spindle and to said die, a feed device which receives the caps, and means for moving said feed device toward and from said chuck, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a rotary chuck, a rotary die, means for moving said die toward and from said chuck, a feed device provided with a head in which a ca p is adapted to rest, means for moving said feed device toward and from said chuck, said die havinga part adapted to extend into said feed-head to engage the cap and disengage the same from said feed-head when the latter moves away from said chuck, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a rotary chuck, a rotary die, means for moving said die toward and from said chuck, a feed device which receives the caps, and ayielding device for moving said feed device, said die having a part adapted to engage the cap and disengage the same from said feed device when the latter moves away from said chuck, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a rotary chuck, a rotary die, means for moving said die toward and from said chuck, a feed device whichreceives the caps, an operating-lever for said feed device having a yielding arm, and means for operating said lever, said die having a part which is adapted to engage the cap and disengage the same from said feed device when the latter moves away from said chuck, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a rotary chuck, a rotary die, means for moving said die toward and from said chuck, a feed-chute, a feed device movable beneath said chute toward and from said chuck and adapted to receive the caps from said chuck, and a yielding device carried by said chute and extending into proximity to said feed device to prevent the caps from falling off of said feed device, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of a rotary chuck, a rotary die, means for moving said die toward and from said chuck, a feed-chute, a feed device movable bcneath said chute toward and from said chuck and adapted to receive the caps from said chute, and a plate hinged to said chute and which extends downwardly in front of said feed device to prevent the caps from falling from the latter, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of a rotary chuck, a rotary die, provided with an annular ange, means for moving said die toward and from IOO IIO

said chuck, a feedhead movable toward and Witness my hand this 27th day of March, from said chuck and adapted to receive a cap, 1902. said die-flange being adapted t-o enter said feed-head to engage the end of the cap and ARTHUR P WOLFE' 5 hold the latter on said chuck when said feed- Witnesses:

head moves away from said chuck, substan- JNO. J. BONNER,

tially as set forth. C. B. HORNBECK. 

